21 Comments - AlabamaShake - Monday, Dec 15, 14 @ 12:22 pm: Senate Republican: Karen McConnaughay should run away with this award. She has proven to be a very thoughtful legislator, and is willing to stick her neck out (against her own caucus) when she thinks it is the right decision. She been able to navigate being a member of a very difficult caucus very effectively, and still be able to get things done. - BDuty6 - Monday, Dec 15, 14 @ 12:35 pm: State Rep. Charlie Meier should receive the award for his tireless and relentless support of the Warren G. Murray Developmental Center in Centralia. More than a few times it looked like Quinn was going to succeed in closing the center and moving all of the residents to CILA’s despite grave concerns raised by the residents’ guardians and parents. However, because Rep. Meier continued to work to raise awareness of this issue, and both donate and raise money to help with legal fees, its looking more and more likely that Murray Center will stay open. I know of no other legislator that has fought for a group of helpless constituents harder than Rep. Charlie Meier. - anon - Monday, Dec 15, 14 @ 12:41 pm: In the House, Dave McSweeney has made quite an impact for a newbie. On various conservative issues, he has taken a lead. It will be fun to watch how he deals with a Republican governor who is less conservative. - AlabamaShake - Monday, Dec 15, 14 @ 12:42 pm: House Republican: Dave McSweeney - I would have shocked myself if I knew that I was going to say this two years ago, but Rep. McSweeney (despite his very public desire to kick our Durkin) has shown that, as a legislator (rather than a politician), he is thoughtful and smart. Like Sen. McConnaughay, he’s shown a willingness to buck his caucus on issues. And he is able to engage in conversations on issues that he may disagree with without being an ideologue. - Railsitter - Monday, Dec 15, 14 @ 12:46 pm: Senate- I would second McConnaughay. Definitely a rising star. House- Joann Osmond set the mark for what you hope every legislator should be. Her retirement is a huge loss to the entire chamber. - Central Guy - Monday, Dec 15, 14 @ 12:48 pm: Senator Dave Luechtefeld is a calming, wise, and respected member of the Republican Senate Leadership team. His thoughts and comments are well - regarded by both the members of his caucus and the Democrat side of the aisle. His greatest accomplishment of the year was his leadership of the effort to retain downstate Supreme Court Judge Karmeier. Against all odds and an eleventh - hour, highly funded campaign by trial attorneys to remove Judge Karmeier, Senator Luechtefeld assembled a committee to support, rasie funds, and fight back against the anti - Judge Karmeier committee. His wisdom, determination, and steady hand raised funds to mount a campaign and develop a strategy that successfully resulted in the retention of Judge Karmeier. What an accomplishment!!! Representative Mike Bost leaves the Illinois House of Representatives with a legacy of candor and being a tireless advocate for downstate Illinois. The Republican House leadership has a big void to fill. During this legislative session, he was among a group of only 15 Republican House members who voted “yes” for important legislation that extended the hospital Medicaid Assessment Program and increased Medicaid funding for nursing homes. Although not popular subjects in the Republican Caucus, Representative Bost cast his vote for what he described as “the right thing to do for my district.” His victory in Congress was achieved in a district that had repeatedly sent a Democrat to Washington, D.C. Bost out - worked the incumbent Democrat and was rewarded with the victory. Congress is gaining an experienced legislator who will not forget from where he came!!! - anon - Monday, Dec 15, 14 @ 1:14 pm: In the Senate, Jim Oberweis has shown the most ability to change his mind on various social issues. During the Senate campaign, he walked away from his reputation as a rightwing hardliner by coming out for a higher minimum wage, for immigration reform and other moderate positions. In a caucus that needs less ideological rigidity, his growth is to be commended. - Team Sleep - Monday, Dec 15, 14 @ 1:17 pm: Senate - Matt Murphy. Senator Murphy stays through all of the budget hearings and makes impassioned speeches (regardless of how we all may feel about his perspective) on the floor to state his points/concerns. He has gusto and could lead the caucus one day. House - Ron Sandack. He just gets it. From surviving a brutal primary to being a reasoned voice, he has proven his mettle time and again. - railrat - Monday, Dec 15, 14 @ 1:27 pm: Senator McConnaughay (I hope she gets IDOT appointment) and Rep. Sandack not only a good person but as T-Sleep noted “he just gets it” - Mr. Morris - Monday, Dec 15, 14 @ 1:34 pm: Senate: Jim Oberweis- Sen. Oberweis may not have won his US Senate election, but I applaud his accomplishments of shepherding his speed limit bills through the House and Senate. I also echo what anon said. House: John Anthony- Rep. Anthony has impressed me in his Freshman term. He has proven to be a great sounding board on Public Safety issues and has helped push HB5858 which will help the removal of tattoos from youth under 18 who were victims of human trafficking. - Capitol Person - Monday, Dec 15, 14 @ 1:47 pm: House - Have to give my vote to Rep. Ron Sandack. He’s become a real leader for the GOP, and has tackled the unenviable House floor leader task really well. He has shown the ability to master a number of subject areas and be the bulldog when his caucus needs it, but also has great relationships with Dems and is a go-to person on the GOP side if you want to really get things done. Again, “he just gets it.” - A modest proposal - Monday, Dec 15, 14 @ 2:02 pm: Senate - Sen. Karen McConnaughay is really a good Senator. She strives to represent her constituents interests at ever turn. She also has forged relationships across the isle and with the other chamber. As someone else said, she is a rising star in the GOP. House - I’m going to second the Bost nomination. You don’t get elected to congress in a Democratic leaning district by wronging your constituents. He spearheaded their initiatives for the last 20 years. And was giving a nice promotion. - walker - Monday, Dec 15, 14 @ 2:25 pm: House Republican: There are talkers and there are doers. Let’s face it — it’s hard to stand out as a leader from the minority party, purely on your own merits. Your good bills can languish in committee; your best bills can be hijacked and magically appear on a bill sponsored by a “target” Democrat. Whenever any issue arises on Medicaid and related funding and healthcare issues, every face turns to Patti Bellock to see her reaction. She is de facto leader to all her peers on this tricky and sometimes monstrous issue. Watching her work in Human Services Approp shows her to be a tireless, and open-hearted decision-maker. Bellock stands out. - A guy... - Monday, Dec 15, 14 @ 2:31 pm: McConnaughay is a well reasoned choice. She does offer some tranquility in a caucus that often needs it. She’s reasoned, not overly ideological, and her Executive experience in Kane County has served her well in attempting to find consensus and practicality. Bost took a lot of good-natured and otherwise ribbing here while running for Congress. He’s served his constituency very well and honestly and they rewarded him for it with strong support. BTW, If you want to make a case otherwise “he gets it” ain’t it. If he got it, whatever the heck “it” is, he wouldn’t have gone to the wire with the single most vulnerable candidate of the year in the primary. That would indicate in some fashion that there are a lot of “its” he may not get. McConnaughay and Bost for the win. - A guy... - Monday, Dec 15, 14 @ 2:33 pm: Bellock is a very strong choice too. Walk makes a good point. I’m staying with Bost, but Bellock is a very attractive 1A for me. - Michelle Flaherty - Monday, Dec 15, 14 @ 3:52 pm: Senate: Jim Obwerweis. 70 mph speed limit. Go ahead, try to name something else, anything else the SGOP did. Runner-up: Sam McCann and his efforts to ensure my children no longer have to fear being mauled by bobcats when they go out to play. House: Ron Sandack. He brings the energy of a teenager to the House and the legislative record to match. Runner-up: Jack Franks. He has singlehandedly derailed countless Democratic initiatives. - Dan Proft's Only Friend - Monday, Dec 15, 14 @ 7:18 pm: House: Ron Sandack-if you can’t beat him join him - DuPage Bard - Tuesday, Dec 16, 14 @ 1:15 am: Didn’t you name Sandack and Sullivan Co-legislators of the year last year? - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Dec 16, 14 @ 6:50 am: * Best Illinois State Senator - Republican In a Caucus that finds itself at times an echo chamber for thenselves to be in agreement with each other, what’s needed to break out of that cycle is someone who is willing to lead and make the case beyond talking points and at times frustration or anger. Sen. Matt Murphy has consistently been a rational voice in a Minority Caucus that at times seemed pleased to be seen as the “Caucus of No”. Sometimes the way you present your thoughts is even more important than the points you’re making. Sen. Murphy also understands what his district expects from him and balances his responsibility to his district and the state as well as anyone, and that shows someone who clearly understands who they are and how to serve the people. I nominate Sen. Matt Murphy in hopes that his thoughtful ways will lead to the Caucus understanding that being for “No” after January won’t be a leadership trait, but working to make the case for what can be done will be embraced more outside the echo chamber. Runner-Up is Sen. Jim Oberweis. While I have dinged Sen. Oberweis often, and many times he lacks the understandimg of the marriage of governing and politics, this year there has been significant growth on the governmental side of the equation. My hope with these nominations Sen. Oberweis is getting, he will reflect upon what it means to stand by your core beliefs while seeking common ground with others. Sen. Oberweis could grow and become a strong voice for conservatives seeking to govern with cooperation from coalitions. I hope Sen. Oberweis continues down this governmental path. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Dec 16, 14 @ 7:18 am: * Best Illinois State Representative - Republican While other colleagues were more than happy to be in a parliament of owls and allow their own cache to be used politically under the guise of good government, I find myself looking for others who understand their district and what they need to best serve constituents. Rep. Barbara Wheeler has been refreshing at times with a focus on serving her district while not being a parrot to political pandering. I have stopped to read what she has had to say on the issues of the day and framing her arguments a little bit plainer, and a little less angry. Rep, Wheeler is engaged in working her district and bringing her focus on how to serve her local interests, it’s always great to see the district/member relationship be embraced by both. I nominate Rep. Wheeler for her well-rounded service to her state and her district. Both are getting her best and I hope more attention to how she goes about her business is copied for her Caucus to grow. Runner-up is Rep. Raymond Poe. I nominated him last year, and the challenges Rep. Poe has faced this year only highlight my respect and admiration I have for him and what he has brought to the Caucus and Illinos. I know I’m not the only one thinking of him, and I hope by nominating him, we keep him in our thoughts. - Sharon - Wednesday, Dec 17, 14 @ 11:12 am: For House, Ron Sandack. He is passionate about everything he does. His performances are epic! That, and he can be fiscally responsible. Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.